Favorite dinning spot in DC
 

I have one free night to treat my wife while were are in DC. Any suggestions?
Restrictions: Must be open on a Sunday night (sorry only night I've got free) and it can't require "coat and tie" (I'll have tails and white tie but I'm not going to wear those)
Also, any suggestions for lunch, if we get free time during the week?
We like all types of food (favorites, French, Italian and Japanese) and we are not on a budget (yet). Prefer in DC rather than suburbs as we have no car but always use the metro.
Thanks for the suggestions

All of Jose Andres' restaurants are very good.
If you can get a seat at the Minibar in Cafe Atlantico, that is a really fun and interesting dining experience.
(more reviews)
Jaleo and Zatinya are both good for tapas and mezze respectively. Jaleo is a bit more casual.

Kinkead's is good all around and has some nice fish dishes.

Cashion's Eat Place
Citronelle
Jaleo
Marcel's
Ten Penh

Never been overenthusiastic about Kinkead's kitchen,
although the people are pretty nice.

ben's chilli bowl

edited to say "never mind"; i just read the part about the OP wanting to treat his wife.

Teatro Goldoni is a nice lunch spot. If you want a "Washington experience" dinner, a place like the Palm, the Caucus Room, or 1789 works well (though the last, being in Georgetown, would probably require a cab).

Sorry I'm not listing many for your favorites (not into French or Japanese) but here goes for places not yet mentioned:

- Old Ebbitt Grill by the White House (continental) has nice ambience
- Cactus Cantina and Tequila Grill are good choices for Mexican
- Banana Cafe is good for Mexican & Caribbean (Cuban, Puerto Rican) fare
- Lauriol Plaza in Adams Morgan is nice (more Latin food!)
- The Little Fountain in Adams Morgan (continental) always had a nice cozy atmosphere
- Tony Cheng's in Chinatown for seafood or the "mongolian grill"
- Bobby Van's for steaks

There's plenty more... do you want to say more specifically where in DC you'll be? That might help narrow down some choices. Happy dining! :)

We'll actually be staying at a hotel near the Pentagon for an orchestra rehearsal (Violist take note -- oh, sorry about that )-- but anywhere we can get to via the Metro is fair game. We previously lived in Chicago, so walking a mile or so is not a big thing for us.
Thanks for all the information so far, I'll try to get reviews on these places and then let my wife choose. I promised the concertmaster of our orchestra a Japanese lunch if possible --- I know we've been to one around 12th and M (I think thats the general location) but the name escapes me at this time. Hope its still there and we can find it in the phone book.

Obelisk, near Dupont Circle.
 

Take the red line to Dupont Circle, and walk a couple of blocks to OBELISK
2029 P St., NW 202-872-1180. Now I'm going to have to duck, but you noted you're from Chicago, and DC restaurants are a pale imitation.

It's possible Obelisk isn't open on Sundays. They also own the pizza place next door, which is, and which is very good. BUT the waiters have a terrible attitude problem.

In any event, there are a bunch of fun, and also some upscale places, in the Dupont Circle area. Well worth a visit. Don't miss Kramer books (http://www.kramers.com/) afterwards.

Thanks again for additional info.
Kaz Japanese Bistro I believe is the name of the place I was trying to conjure up.

I think both Marcel's(noisy) and Melrose(very quiet) are open Sunday. Both have excellent food. I have not been to Viadalia since it reopened.

Seasons, & Citonellel are also both open on Sun.

Due to the tourist influx, very few places in DC expect coat and tie. I wear a sport coat into most places to keep warm, and usually look out of place.

edited to add: Tosca if you wish to do Italian. Very quiet, very elegant, the class Italian restaurant of DC and is open on Sun.

I am not a fan of Kinkead, Galileo, Taberna or Nora. I do not know if they are open or closed on Sun.

you should look in the Mid-Atlantic forum in the "Travel&Dining: Destination >> United States"

Many threads on DC dining with very good advice.

Restaurant Nora.

Thanks for the additional information
Sweet Willie speaks the truth.

:cool: I have not yet seen a mention of Georgia Brown's. ^ ^ My wife and I seem to gravitate there when we venture into the city. After dinner, it is nice to stroll around the White House area.

I believe that Kaz Sushi Bistro is on I Street between 19th and 20th.
Another idea for a Japanese lunch is Sushi Taro 1503 17th Street (P Street is the cross, I think)

Minibar is lots of fun. I went there last week for the first time, but I believe it is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Other suggestions: Equinox-right by the White House. Hotel Washington on the terrace - Best View in DC but mediocre food. There is a non-terrace restaurant that is located on the top floor as well. Although the view is lacking you might be able to convince them to serve you the better "indoor" food while sitting on the terrace. Woo Lae Oak Decent Korean restaurant in Pentagon City. Lebanese Taverna in Woodly Park. Red Sage - south western food in a fun (upstairs) environment or fancier food in the lower level dining room. All of the above are metro accessable. So when are we going?? :)